Lyoto Machida Climbs UFC Middleweight Rankings After Latest Win

Lyoto Machida will close out the year having risen his stock, as following “The Dragon’s” quick win over CB Dollaway, he’s moved up the UFC’s middleweight rankings.

Not only did Machida get back on track at UFC Fight Night 58, by putting Dollaway down with a cringe inducing, liver kick, he did so in just 62 seconds. As result, the media members who determine the UFC rankings have moved Machida up a position into the #3 ranking, and Vitor Belfort has dropped to #4.

The bout marked the first time Machida had fought since July, when he was decisioned by champion Chris Weidman. The 36 year-old, former light-heavyweight champ has gone 3-1 now since he dropped to 185 last year.

Belfort, meanwhile, will get a chance to jump up the middleweight rankings on February 28th, as he’s scheduled to throw down with Weidman on that date.

The only men ahead of Machida and Belfort are the #2 ranked “Jacare” Souza, the #1 ranked Anderson Silva, and of course Weidman. Mr. Silva is booked to fight Nick Diaz on January 31st.

The new rankings also reflect that lightweight champion Anthony Pettis has moved up a spot in the pound-for-pound rankings, and is now #5. Heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez slipped a position to #6.